Woodsboro school district excels in math, science

If you're looking for students skilled in math and science, you may not want to look any farther than Woodsboro school district.

Superintendent Steven Self said teachers and students pushed hard and used the University of Texas Dana Center to excel in this year's State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness.

Some scores, like Algebra II for instance, had a passing rate of 100 percent across all students.

Sciences, like biology and chemistry, had an all-student passing rate of 84 and 90 percent, respectively.

"We made a special effort," Self said. "The teachers worked very hard, and they take how the students do on exams personally."

But, from elementary to high school, the district struggled in the English language arts-related examinations. Some passing rates, for example, were as low as 41 for reading and 47 for writing for all students at the high school level.

The reading and writing material was scored differently and was different from what the district's teachers were covering.

Many school districts across the state produced lower reading and writing scores.

To do better next year, Self said the school will continue funding training for teachers. The school will also continue its tutoring program, which is available, before, during and after school.

Regardless, Self is happy with the scores and knows teachers and students strived for the best.

"It is a group job," he said. "It takes everybody working together to reach that success."